G room ing-machine



4 Sheets-Sheet 1 v (No Model.)

W. H. CLARK.

GROOMING MAGHINE.

Patented Jan.'9, 1883.

N, PETERS. Phnkrblll 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model?) W. H CLARK.

GROOMINGMAGHINE.

Patented Jan. 9, 1883.

Wmk (J (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

W. H. CLARK.

GROOMING MAGHINE. No. 270,389. Patented Jan. 9,1883.

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%7VZ%/QZMOQ/ W 754 (No Model.) 4Sheets-Sheet 4.

W. H. CLARK.

' GROOMING MACHINE. No. 270,389. Patented Jan. 9,1883.

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WILLIAM H. CLARK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

GROOMING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 270,389, dated January9, 1883,

Application filed July 10,1882. (N model.)

T 0 allachom it may concern Be it known that I, WiLLIAM H. CLARK,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, and acitizen of the United States, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Grooming-lllachines, of which the following is a fulldescription,reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is aside elevatioii with the suspending-rod and driving-belt broken; Fig. 2,a front elevation with the suspending-rod and driving-belt broken andthe brush and its flexible shaft removed; Fi 3, a detail, being ahorizontal section on line or w of Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a detail, being avertical. section of the upper pivotal support on liney otFig. 1; Fig.5, a detail, being a top or plan view of the rigid seclion of thebrush-driving shaft and its support and driving devices; Fig. 6, adetail of the flexible sec1ion ofthe brush-driving shalt; Fig. 7, avertical longitudinal section through the rigid section of thebrush-driving shalt and its.support; Fig. 8, a detail showing the handleand its shalt, to which the brush is aflixed; Fig.9, a detail, being alongitudinal section of the coupling-nut connecting the brush with theflexible section of its shaft; Fig. 10, an enlarged detail in sideelevation of the coupling for connecting the rigid and flexible sectionsof the brush-driving shaft; Fig. 11,a vertical longitudinal section ofthe parts shown in Fig. Fig. 12, an end view of Fig. 10; Figs. 13 and14, details, beingan end view and an elevation of the clampinghalt-boxes for securing the end of the flexible shaft-section of thebrush-driving shaft in the coupling; Figs. 15, 16, and 17, enlargeddetails, being respectively a top or' plan view, a side elevation, and asection of the swinging head, stirrup, and support for the brush-shaft.

Thisinventionrelatesto grooming-machines, and has for its objects toconstruct a machine by means of which the grooming operation can beeffectually and etliciently perlormed over the entire surface of theanimal without any inconvenience or difficulty to the operator, and atthe same time have the apparatus light, so as to be easily handled, andflexible, so that the operator can readily handle the grooming device tobring it in contact with the entire surface of the animal; and itsnature consists in providing a revolving brush and non-rotating handle,and a brush-driving shaft, composed of a rigid and a flexiblesection,arranged and operating as hereinafter described; in providing acoupling consisting of a head having a screw-threaded end, half-boxes,also screwthreaded on their interior, and binding nuts or collars forconnecting the rigid and flexible sections of the lnush-drivin'g shaft;in providing a shaft passing through the'haudle and rigidly attached atone end to the flexible section of the brush-driving shalt, and havingthe brush attached to its other end to allow the brush to be drivenwithout rotating the hendle, and at the same time leave the handle freeto turn, as required, in use; in providing a rigid brush-drivingshaft-section, consisting of an outer stationary tube or casing, and aninner rod or shaft for facilitating the handling of the brush andmaintaining a proper relation with the driving devices; in providing aboxing or frame within which is located the shaft-driving pinion ordevices, and to which is attachedone end of the rigid section ofbrush-driving shaft, which frame or support is pivotally attached, so asto permit free vertical movement of the brush-driving shaft, andissupported on a head by means of a stirrup, which head also carries adriving-pulley, and is suspended by a rod or other rigid connection froma suitable support; in providing a connection for the upper end of thesuspending-rod, which permits its lower end to swing to the right andleft and forward and back, which connection also carries driving-pulleysfor communicating motion through a belt to the pulley which drives thebrush-shaft in the peculiar construction and arrangement of the upperconnection for the suspending-rod, as hereinafter more specificallydescribed; in the peculiar construction and arrangement of the supportor connection carrying the brush-driving shaft and its driving devices,as herein-alter more specifically described; and in the several partsand combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed as new.

In the drawings, A represents the brush, of a circular form and made ofbristles a, secured in a head or center, (0', in any usual and wellknownmanner. The head or center a has a central longitudinal opening, and itsends, as

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shown, are recessed, but could be otherwise form ed B is thebrush-shaft, one end of which is screw-threaded and enters ascrewthreaded coupling, 0, and the other end is provided with a head orenlargement. This shaft passes longitudinally through the center of thehead a, and is maintained in position by plates or caps b, one at eachend of the head a, so as to unite the brush A to the shaft B and causethe two to revolve together.

O is the handle to be grasped by the operator, and made of wood or othersuitable material of a form to fit and be grasped by the hand. Thishandle is provided with a central opening, and is ]ocated,in the form'ofconstruction shown, back of the brush.

1) is a shaft on which the handleU is mounted. This shaft at one end isprovided with a collar or flange, d, and the end of the shaft, whichprojects beyond the collar, is screwthreaded, and enters the coupling 0,which coupling is of sufiicient length for the ends of the shafts B andD to enter without touching, and furnishes the means for connecting thebrush, so that it can be readily removed when worn out to be replaced bya new one, or for cleaning or other purposes. this shaft D projectsbeyond the end of the handle and enters asocketorplug, d,in which it isfirmly secured, and this socket or plug (1 is in turn firmly secured inthe end of the flexible section of the driving-shaft, so that by therevolution of such shaft the brush A will be revolved through therotation of the shafts I) B, while the handle 0 is stationary withreference to the brush A, but is free to turn with the hand in guidingand directing the brush.

E is the flexible section of a driving-shaft, madeot' steeLwire or othersuitable material, that can be coiled, as shown in Fig. (5, thedirection of thecord being with the direction that it is desired thebrush shall have, so that the revolution will not uncoil it. This shafthas secured in its front end the socket or plug d, and its inner end isconnected with the outer end of the rigid section of the driving-shaft.

F is a cylindrical ring or collar, screwthreaded on its interior andhaving at one end a flange or rim to leave an opening of sufficientdiameter for the insertion of the flexible section E;F,acylindricalringorcollar,serewthreaded on its exterior for a portionof its length to receive the collar F, and having its interior formedtapering.

F are half-boxes screw threaded on their interior to correspond in pitchto the pitch of the coils of the shaft-section E, so as to fit over theend of such section, and having their exterior formed tapering. Thesehalf-boxes, when together, have an exterior diameter to allow them tobeiuserted within the collar F. These parts F F F may be made ofmalleable iron or other suitable material that can be cast or otherwiseformed into shape, and, as shown, the outer end, F, of the collar F isThe other end of formed to receive a wrench or other means for screwingthe collar down to place and clamping the end of the shaft-section Efirmly in place.

G is a plug or core made of metal and having on its exterior ascrew-thread corresponding in pitch to the pitch of the coils of the section E, so that the plug can be screwed into the end of theshaft-section E, while the halfboxes F fit over or around the exteriorot'the shaft-section. This plug or head G has an end extension, 0, ofless diameter than the body of the plug, which has a central opening toreceive the end of the other section of the driving-shaft, which is tobe secured therein in any suitable manner that will firmly unite theplug and the shaft-section. Around this end 6, the exterior of which iscylindrical, is located a ring or collar, G, having at one end anenlarged opening, which is screw-threaded.

H is the rigid section of the driving-shaft, the front end of which issecured in the opening of the plug-extension a, so thatas the shaft isrevolved the plug G will be revolved in the collar or ring G andcommunicate motion to the flexible section E.

I is a tube or casing encircling the shaft-section H its entire length.This tube at its forward end is screw thrcaded and enters thescrew-thread opening of the collar G, and is non-rotating, and may bemade of a piece of gas'pipc or other suitable material.

J is a socket having accntral opening for the passage of theshaftsection H, and a screw-threaded opening in its end to receive the.end of the tube or casing I. This socket furnishes a bearing for theshaft-section H and the means for attaching the tube or casing to thepivoted frame or support.

K is a pivoted frame or support, made of castiron or other suitablematerial that can be formed into shape to have a central opening toreceive the shattdrivingdevices, and its shape may be square,rectangular, or other form. The socket J is formed with or secured toone side of this frame or support K, and on two of the sides of theframe or support. at right angles to the socket J, are located trunnionsh, by means of which the frame or head K is pivota'lly supported. One ofthese trunnions enters an opening in the end bar of a stirrup or strap,and the other has its bearing in the end of a support or head, M, towhich support or head the open end of the stirrup or strap is secured byscrews or otherwise. This strap or stirrup K may be of the form shown,or other form, to receive and support the frame or head K, in connectionwith the head or supportM. The end of the shaft 11 projects within theopening in the frame K, and has attached thereto a. pinion, g, whichmeshes with a pinion, g, on a cross-shaft, h, passing transverselyacross the frame K through the trunnion h.

L is a socket formed with or secured to the side of the frame K,opposite to the socket J.

This socket has secured therein one end of a 'rod or bar, L, on which islocated a ball or weight, L, which is adjustable, and acts asacouuter-balance to the tube 1 and shaft H, and other devices connectedtherewith, to facilitate the handling of the brush by the operator in avertical direction by removing the weight or counterbalancing it throughthe weight or ball L.

M is a head or support made of cast-iron or other suitable material andhaving a vertical sleeve or socket, M, cast or formed therewith. Asshown, the upper andlower face is provided with flat spots or surfaces Kfor the attachment of the stirrup or hanger K; otherwise its exterioriscylindrical; butits exterior might be square or other shape. This heador support M has a suitabe openingforthe passage of the shaft It, theend of which projects beyond the end of the support M, and has securedthereto a pulley-wheeh'i, over which a bclt,j, passes for driving thepulley and rotating the shalt h, and driving the piuions g g to rotatethe shaft-section H.

N is a 'rod or bar, the lower end of which passes through the socket M,and is secured in place, as shown, by suitable pins or screws, but whchmight be attached to the socket by a screw-thread or otherwise.

0 is a hanger made of malleable iron or other material that can be castor formed into shape to have a disk or plate portion, with a centralcircular opening and a socket portion to receive the upperend of thesuspending-rod N, which may be screwed therein or otherwise inserted andsecured in a flrm manner.

P is a hub or bearing having vertical opening for the passage of theshalt, and adapted to receive the plate portion of the hanger O. Thishub or bearing is cast or formed with'a hub or bearing, P, the twostanding trans-- versely to each other; and the hub P is provided witha'ceutral circular opening for the passage of a spindle or pivot-pin, a.

Q is a nut or plate having a screw-threaded opening, by means of whichit can be applied to the end of the hub or bearing P, which isscrew-threaded to receive it; B, a. backing plate or flange, formed onthe hub or pivot P, and between which and the nut or plate Q is locatedthe disk portion of the hanger 0, as shown in Fig. 3. Through theopening in the hub P is passed a shaft, 1, the ends of which projectbeyond the ends of the hub, and to one end is attached a pulley, it,over which the belt j passes, and to the other end of the shaft l isattached a pulley, at, over which a belt, from any suitable power,passes to drive shaft l and communicate motion to the pulley i from thebeltj and pulley k.

Sis a socket having-a projecting pin or spindle,1z, which passes throughthe opening in the hub or bearing 1?.

T is a bar, .to the end of which is secured the socket S, which bar issecured in any suitable inauner to the frame, post, wall of the Ubuilding, or other support at the proper height to locate the support orhead M at a proper height for use. The hubs or bearings P P,

with the hanger 0, permit the head or support M to swing forward ,andback and to the right and left, and enable the operator to readily andeasily bring the brush in contact with the surface of the animal withoutchanging the position of the animal, and by these swinging movements, inconnection with the pivoted frame K, the brush is under the control ofthe operator, so that it can be moved forward and back and up and downover the surface of the animal, while the flexible section of thedriving-shaft permits the brush to be turned in all directions, asrequired, for use.

In putting the parts together the brush is slipped onto the shaft B, andthe end of the shaft screwed into the coupling 0. The end of the shaftDisscrewedintothecouplingc. The handle 0 is slipped onto the shaft D,and the end of the shaft secured in the plug or socket d in the end ofthe flexible shalt E. The other end of the flexible shaft'is screwedonto the plug Gr. Thehalfboxes Fare placed thereover and forced down toclamp the end of the shaft onto the plug G by the collars or thimblcs FF. The collar G isslipped ontotheextension c, in which the end of theshaft H is secured. The tube or casing I is screwed into the collar orthimble G. The other end of the shaft H is passed through the bearing orsocket J, and the socket or hearing screwed onto the tube or casing l.The wheel g is attached to the shaft H inside the frame K, and the wheelg is attached to its shaft It by inserting the shaft through the frameK. The lrame is attached to the head or support M bypassing the shaft Itthrough the head and inserting the trunnion It in the opening thereforin the head, and insertiug the opposite trunnion, It, in the openingtherefor in the end bar of the stirrup K, and attaching such stirrup tothe head M. The pulley 2 is placed on the end of the shaft h. The head Mis-attached to the rod N by the socket M, and the other end of the rod Nis attached to the hanger O, which is slipped over the hub or bearing Pand secured in place by the nut or plate Q, The hub or bearing P isslipped onto the spindle or pin at and held in place by a nut or-pin.The shaft 1 is passed through the hub P, and the pulleys 70 m attachedto its ends. The beltj is passed over the pulleys t It, and thebeltfroin the motive power is passed over the pulley m, when theapparatus is ready for use.

In use, the operator takes hold of the ban dle O and passes the brushover the surface of the animal, and this brush, being revolved throughthe shaft B, coupling 0, shalt D, flexible shaft E, the rigid shaft H,from the gear g g, shaft it, pulley i, beltj, and pulley It, will act tothoroughly groom the animal. The coupling F E i enables theflexibleshaft to be readily removed and replaced in case it becomes broken ordisabled in use.

When it is desired to groom both sides of the animal two of the machinescan be used, one on each side; but by turning the horse, a singlemachine only is required.

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The acting portion of the brush A may be made of wire, bristles, orother material which will not be too harsh on the animal, and at thesame time act properly in performing the grooming operation.

Heretofore a grooming-machine has comprised in its structure a rigidshaft-section coupled to and revolved by a flexible shaft-section andextending through a hollow handle, the outer end of the rigidshaft-section carrying acylindrical brush-head. In another instance agrooming-machine has comprised in its structure a bed plate carryingdriving mechanism wlnch revolves a rigid shaft-section, having auniversal jointed connection at one end with the driving mechanism, theother end of said shalt being coupled to and revolving a flexibleshaft-section, which is connected with a brush-head, so as to rotate thesame, the brush-head being journaled in a bracket having a handle,whereby the revolving brush can be manipulated in the requireddirections. Such devices are therefore not broadly c'aimed by me.

\VhatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is asfollows:

1. In a groomingmachine, the combination of the brush A, having thebrush-head a, provided with a longitudinal opening, at each end of whichis a fixed cap, 0, with the brush-shaft B, the coupling 0, the shaft D,having flange (I, and a projection beyond the same which fits thecoupling, the plug (1, attached within the flexible shalt-section E, andthe handle 0, looscl mounted on the shaft D, between its flange and theplug in the flexible section, substantially as described.

In a grooming-machine, the combination of thebrush A, having thebrush-head a, provided with a longitudinal opening and a cap, i), ateach end thereof, the shaft B, extending through the brush-head andhaving its end portions supported by the caps, the interiorlvthreadedcoupling a, into one end of which the brush-shaft screws, the shaft D,having a flange, (1, and a threaded projection beyond the flange whichscrews into the coupling, the plug (1, titted at one end within theflexible shaft-section E,and having theend ofthe shaft 1) secured initsotherend,thehandleO, loosely mounted on the latter between its flangeand the said plug. and a rigid shaft, H, arranged to oscillate in itsbearings, substantially as described.

3. In a groomiiiginachiue, the combination of the brush A. thebrush-shaft B, extending through the same and supported at its ends, theshaft D, the coupling 0, connecting the two shafts, the handle 0,loosely mounted on the shaft 1), the plug (1, the flexible shaft-sectionE, the plug G, and the coupling, composed of the interiorly-threadedring F, the exteriorlythreaded ring F, and the intcriorly-threaded haltboxes F, fitted on the flexible shaft-section, substantially asdescribed.

4. The brush A, shaft B. coupling 0, handle C, shaft D, plug d, andflexible shaft-section E, in combination with the coupling F F F G,collar Gr, rigid shaft-section H, and a driving mechanism, substantiallyas and for the purposes specified.

5. The collars or thimoles F F, half-boxes F, and plug G, in combinationwith theflexible shaft-section E, the tube 1, and rigidshaftsectionH,extendingthrough said tube for connecting the two sectionsand the tube together and enabling a disconnection to be had whendesired, substantially as specified.

6. The brush A, shaft B, coupling 0, handle G, shaft D, plug (1,flexible section E. coupling F F F G, collar G, rigid shaft H, aml tubeor casing I, in combination with a socket or bearing, J, pivoted frameor head K, stirrup K, head or support M, and driving-pinions g g, shaftIt, aml pulley 2 substantially as and for the purposes specified.

7. The brush A, shaft B, coupling 0, handle (J, shaft I), plug (1,flexible section B, coupling F F F G, collar Gr, rigid section H, tubeor casing I, socket or bearing J, frame or head K, stirrup K, head M,driving-pinionsg g, shaft h, and pulley i, in combination with thesocket L, rod or bar L, and ball or weight L for maintaining theequilibrium in handling the brush, substantially as and for the purposesspecified.

S. The brush A, shaft B, coupling 0, handle C, shaft D, plug (1,flexible shaft'section E, coupling F F F G, collar G, rigid shaftsectionH, tube or casing I, socket or hearing J, frame or support K, stirrup K,head or support M M, pinions g g, shaft h, pulley 1, socket L, rod orbar L,and ball or weightL, in combination with the suspending-rod N,hanger 0, and hub or bearing P P for suspending the actuating devices togive them perfect freedom of movement in handling the brush,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

9. The brush A, shaft B, coupling 0, handle 0, shaft 1), plug 41,flexible shaft-section E, coupling F F F G, collar G, rigidshaft-section H, tu no or casing I, socket or hearing J, frame orsupport K, stirrup K, head or support M M, pinions g g,shaft h, pulleyi, socket L, rod or bar L, and ball or weight L, in combination with rodN, hanger O, bearings or hubs P P, spindle or pin a, shalt l, pulley 1:,and driving-beltj, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

\VILLIAM H. CLARK.

\Vitnesses:

O. W. BOND, 15. A. PRICE.

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